Final answer:
The information in a DNA molecule is encoded in the sequence of its four nucleotide bases: adenine, thymine, guanine, and cytosine. This order forms the genetic code and determines the synthesis of proteins, which are vital for cellular function and replication.
Step-by-step explanation:
The information carried by a DNA molecule is found in the sequence (order) of the bases of the DNA molecule. DNA, which stands for deoxyribonucleic acid, stores the genetic information of the cell in the sequence of its four bases: adenine (A), thymine (T), guanine (G), and cytosine (C). These bases pair specifically (A with T, and G with C) to form the characteristic double helix structure of DNA. The order in which these bases are arranged encodes the genetic instructions used in the development, functioning, and reproduction of all known living organisms and many viruses.
The genetic code represented by the order of these nucleotide bases along the DNA stands is what determines the sequence of amino acids in proteins, which are the building blocks for all cellular structures and activities. This sequence is crucial because it ensures that DNA can be replicated accurately during cell division and that it can be transcribed into RNA, which then translates into proteins. Thus, answer choice 2) 'The sequence (order) of the bases of the DNA molecule' is the correct answer to the student's question.